NHTSA lists 1 complaints for the 2016 Indian Chieftain, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as INDIAN CHIEFTAIN.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 1 | 100.0% | 1.00 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 1 | 100.0% | 0.77 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1 tagged complaints of 1 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2022-08-19. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014 Chief, 2015 Chief Classic, 2014-2018 Chieftain, 2015-2020 Chief Vintage, 2016-2018 Chieftain Darkhorse, 2016-2020 Springfield, 2017-2018 Chieftain Limited, and 2018-2019 Chieftain Classic motorcycles. The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) may fail, causing a loss of the front lights, including the headlight.
Consequence: The loss of lighting can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the electrical connection and VCM, as necessary. Dealers will update the VCM software, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2022. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-02. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 19V-339.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-10-29. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. The gear position switch contacts may oxidize, causing the gear position display to inaccurately show that the motorcycle is in neutral when it is actually in gear.
Consequence: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the switch free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-19-03.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-06-17. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chief Classic, Dark Horse, Chieftain, Roadmaster, Vintage, Springfield, and Chieftain Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured April 15, 2013, to June 16, 2015. In the event of an engine misfire, unburned fuel may pass through parts of the exhaust system, raising the exhaust temperatures.
Consequence: Elevated exhaust temperatures may result in an increased risk of fire.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. The recall began July 2016. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-16-02.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-11-02. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chief Classic, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and 2016 Dark Horse motorcycles manufactured January 2, 2015, to October 23, 2015. Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.
Consequence: A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear brake master cylinder piston assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian's number for this recall is I-15-04.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
32 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 20 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 7 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 6 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
|---|
11016271
Date: 2025-03-12. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding removal and installation of the battery on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
11016279
Date: 2025-03-12. Type: Other. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article contains information regarding the inspection and adjustment of the clutch lever on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
11016261
Date: 2025-03-05. Type: Other. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This Indian Motorycle help center article provides information regarding inspection and tension adjustment of the drive belt on 2014+ Chieftain motorcycles.
11015422
Date: 2025-02-13. Type: Other. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
This Indian Motorcycle help center article provides information regarding brake inspection and maintenance regarding 2014+ Indian Chieftain motorcycles.
10219495
Date: 2022-08-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Indian Motorcycle has determined that an electrical defect may exist in 2014-2020 Heavyweight Air Cooled Indian Motorcycles, resulting in the unexpected loss of forward lighting. This defect may also cause heat damage to the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) and Pin 11 of the center VCM connector. Ind
10209965
Date: 2022-03-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Indian Motorcycle identified that on Indian Scout Models there is a potential for damage to occur to electrical hardware or the vehicle harness if the battery ground cable and ground joint is not connected properly. Damage can occur during procedures that require the battery cable to be disconnected
10208642
Date: 2022-02-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.
Best practices for gauges, speedometers, and tachometers providing information regarding how to clean and maintain. The version has been translated into French.
10189624
Date: 2021-03-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 FullA?A A Size (111 c.i. / 116 c.i.) and 2020 Challenger models sold in Japan show compliance concerns due to operating range frequency of key fob, Vehicle Control Module (VCM) or Wireless Control Module (WCM), and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TP
10189626
Date: 2021-03-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: STOP SALE on affected motorcycle(s) identified in your inventory until further notice.
10189623
Date: 2021-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Indian Motorcycle has determined that some 2014-2020 FullA?A A Size (111 c.i. / 116 c.i.) and 2020 Challenger models sold in Japan show compliance concerns due to operating range frequency of key fob, Vehicle Control Module (VCM) or Wireless Control Module (WCM), and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TP